“As of right now, the Republican presidential caucus field is wide open,” said Christopher Budzisz, associate professor of politics and director of the Loras College Poll, in a press release. "It is not too surprising to see potential candidates who have performed well in Iowa before, such as Governor Huckabee, at the top of the poll.”

Added Budzisz, "Iowans tend to reward those candidates who have spent their time in Iowa and have developed a familiarity with the state and its voters. The caucus is something of an intimate political process relying heavily on what we call the 'retail politics' of shaking hands, diner stops and town halls,” said Budzisz. Among his other findings: One-fourth of the voters did not have a first choice preference candidate, and when people were asked for a second choice, Bush got the most backing.

Six hundred likely caucus-goers were surveyed April 7 and 8. Margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.